She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 268 - 267: A Deadly Situation, The Empress Dowager Turns Danger into Safety

Chapter 268: Chapter 267: A Deadly Situation, The Empress Dowager Turns Danger into Safety

"The Commandery Princess truly exemplifies the women of Dawei, skilled in both letters and arms, and even capable of leading troops into battle. Currently, the women of the Capital City are more enthusiastic when they see you than when they see His Majesty," said the Empress Dowager, gently sipping her tea.

A hint of coldness flashed in Yan Wanqing’s eyes.

She dared not accept such lofty praise.

"It is but a momentary novelty for the young ladies. Soon, this fervor will pass. How could Anping compare to His Majesty? The Empress Dowager has not been in the public eye for a long time. Her nature is truly carefree and naive. Some words should not be recklessly spoken."

After all, she was an empress dowager left over from the previous dynasty, surviving to this day by relying on her knowledge of Imperial Family secrets.

If the Emperor himself does not show her respect, what makes her think she can stand above me, Yan Wanqing, and make mischief?

"Yan Wanqing!" furious at her sharp and biting words, and seeing that she had lost all respect for her, the Empress Dowager’s face darkened, "You are utterly presumptuous!"

"Respect given is respect earned," Yan Wanqing replied, slowly rising to her feet. "If someone offends me, they will be punished."

She faced the Empress Dowager seated in her high position, tilting her head slightly, revealing a faint smile.

"The events of Empress Dowager’s past are known to few, but there is a saying that there are no walls without chinks, and how unfortunate it is that the secrets within these walls are precisely what I, Princess Anping, have come to know."

"You—" The Empress Dowager did not expect Yan Wanqing to be so disrespectful, to say these things in public, and her face flushed with anger, turning red then white.

She had been certain that with the Emperor’s thoroughness, there would have been no survivors from those past events.

How come Yan Wanqing brought it up?

Back then, she was but a naïve young girl, how could she know?

For a moment, the Empress Dowager’s mind was in turmoil.

"Today I have come because I, too, have something I wish to discuss with the Empress Dowager. If you are willing, we could very well be allies. I, Anping, assure you that as long as I am here, you will have no worries and can continue being the Empress Dowager," Yan Wanqing spoke directly, "But if you are unwilling, we each have our own plans, and I may not be able to keep my mouth shut."

She did not enjoy verbal battles with women, preferring to cut through the chaos with clear intent.

"Not long ago, an incident occurred in the palace. Someone took something that did not belong to them. If she is willing to let me handle this matter, then all is well. But if she is not willing, I’m sure the Empress Dowager is well aware of my methods."

The Empress Dowager furrowed her brows, "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"That’s alright, you still have a day to think it over," Yan Wanqing replied, not certain whether the child was truly in the hands of the Empress Dowager.

But now that Xiao Hongshen had been sent to Dali Temple, news would quickly reach the Empress Dowager.

Soon she would realize her support had fallen, and it was time to seek a new path.

Even if the child was not harmed by her, this moment could be used to root out petty criminals and cronies.

She could then seize the opportunity to capture them all in one swoop.

So, agreeing to come here today was actually a way to issue a challenge.

Surrender, and you shall live.

If not, then you will die.

Having said what she intended, Yan Wanqing bowed and said, "With that, I shall take my leave."

After speaking, she turned and strode away.

Behind her, the sound of a cup smashing to the ground could be heard.

She curved her lips slightly but did not turn back.

The Empress Dowager stared at Yan Wanqing’s retreating figure, grinding her molars with fury, "Such an insolent creature!"

"Empress Dowager, please calm your anger!" The Palace Attendants, frightened, knelt on the ground.

The Empress Dowager’s gaze was sinister. She took a few deep breaths, "You, go to Prince Seven’s residence and summon him here."

The Palace Maid obeyed and hurried out.

Before long, she rushed back in, panicked.

"Empress Dowager, this is terrible! Something dreadful has happened!"

"Calm down! I am not dead yet," the Empress Dowager was so exasperated she tossed the seeds she was holding onto the maid, "Making a fuss, with no semblance of composure. It’s why I cannot stand you palace maids."

That damned Emperor, exterminating all her precious ones.

How deserving of death!

The Palace Maid knelt before the Empress Dowager, disregarding herself and hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager, something has happened to Prince Seven—he—"

"What’s happened?" The mention of Prince Seven made the Empress Dowager’s ears perk up.

"He has been arrested by Dali Temple!" The maid managed to get the whole sentence out.

The Empress Dowager, previously composed, tumbled from her chair, sitting desolately on the floor, murmuring to herself.

"How could this be..." She froze, then turned to the maid abruptly, "For what reason?"

"Treason!" The maid’s face went as white as paper when she spoke those words.

The Empress Dowager, upon hearing this, was thoroughly bewildered.

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck in her mind, leaving her disoriented and devoid of strength.

She didn’t even know how she was helped by the Palace Maids to sit on a cushion, nor how she came to be holding a cup of hot tea to her lips.

"...This is a capital offense..."

Colluding with the enemy and treason, if the circumstances are severe, can warrant immediate execution without trial.

Yan Wanqing’s tactics are cruel indeed!

The Empress Dowager was covered in cold sweat.

"Does His Majesty know about this?" After all, the Seventh Prince is his son; he has to inquire about this matter, doesn’t he?

If only they could delay the timing, perhaps there might still be a chance for the Seventh Prince to survive.

As long as one survives, with the support of his backers, there might be a chance to turn the tables.

The Palace Maid shook her head: "His Majesty is aware, but he hasn’t said a word."

"Without His Majesty’s command, the officials from Dali Temple can’t truly be planning to kill the Seventh Prince, can they?" The Empress Dowager could hardly believe it.

But the Emperor has always been cold-hearted, and he might well be capable of doing such a thing.

"Dali Temple has already sorted out the evidence brought back by Princess Anping and plans to submit the memorial tomorrow," the Palace Maid continued, her voice trembling with fear.

Now, the memorials are being reviewed on behalf of the Emperor by the Empress.

With the memorial in the hands of the Empress, wouldn’t that be tantamount to directly sentencing Xiao Hongshen to death?!

This is an inescapable death trap...

The Empress Dowager’s limbs were ice cold.

She gripped the hot tea fiercely with both hands.

She thought back to what Yan Wanqing had said before leaving.

She had said that as long as the bargaining chip was traded, it could protect her life and her wealth and honor.

But what exactly was the bargaining chip she mentioned?

She couldn’t grasp any leads.

Suddenly, she grabbed the hand of a Palace Maid: "Did you say yesterday that you heard a cat meowing somewhere in our palace?"

The Palace Maid nodded: "On the northwest side, in the courtyard that you dislike the most, Your Highness."

"Let’s go, take a look!" The Empress Dowager quickly got up, placing the tea cup on the table with a thud.

How could there possibly be a cat in this palace.

There must be something fishy going on.

She walked briskly, followed by a group of Palace Maids.

When she was about to reach the entrance of the courtyard, she suddenly stopped.

"You, and you, follow me inside. Everyone else, wait outside," the Empress Dowager commanded.

She took the two Palace Maids with her into the courtyard.

Upon her orders, the Palace Maids opened every single door in the courtyard.

Because it was situated to the west, it was blisteringly hot, and always dark, so the Empress Dowager liked it least and never came here.

Over time, the place had become filled with dust.

"Do you hear anything?"

A rustling sound.

The Empress Dowager, anxious, said as she stepped towards a certain room.

As soon as she entered, a shadow suddenly lunged out, knocking her to the ground.

"Stop him!" the Empress Dowager cried out urgently.

Upon hearing the commotion, the Palace Maids outside swarmed over, pinning the intruder at the doorway.

The man had some skills, but the shrill voices of the Palace Maids quickly summoned the Imperial Secret Police.

Before long, the man was being forced to kneel on the ground, his head pushed down.

The Palace Maids hastily snatched the barely breathing child from his arms.

The child was brought before the Empress Dowager: "Empress Dowager, he’s still alive."

The Empress Dowager squatted down in front of the man, lifting his face with her finger: "I didn’t think it would be a familiar face, Eunuch Zhang, weren’t you supposed to be dead?"

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